Ronaldo struck first in the 2024-2025 curtain-raiser, tapping Abdulrahman Ghareeb's cutback home shortly before the interval at Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz Sports City Stadium.

However, the five-time Ballon d'Or winner was seen angrily gesticulating at his team-mates as Al-Nassr collapsed in the second half, with Al-Hilal – unbeaten Pro League champion last season – running riot.

Former Fulham striker Aleksandar Mitrovic scored twice in six minutes to take the game away from Al-Nassr, after Sergej Milinkovic-Savic capped a driving run with a powerful finish into the roof of the net for 1-1.

Al-Hilal added further gloss to the scoreline through Malcom with 18 minutes to play, the Brazilian stealing possession from goalkeeper Bento to tap into an unguarded net.